The Green Bay Packers did not hesitate in making major changes following a disappointing 7-9 season. It was a season that exposed the Packers as a team with a great quarterback and not much else. The first head to roll was defensive coordinator Dom Capers. The second was general manager Ted Thompson. Packers’ fans rejoiced.
The big question now is who is the new general manager going to be if it is not Eliot Wolf? Packers’ fans will not be happy if they announce Russ Ball as the next general manager. Or any other man for that matter. As the highest ranking player personnel executive, it would be a shock if Wolf is not the guy. Brian Gutekunst is second in command behind Wolf while Ball is not even listed in player personnel department of the Packers’ front office listing.
I think hiring Ball, who many think is the front runner, would lead to discontent amongst Wolf and Gutekunst and they would both likely leave first chance they get. Ball would be the equivalent to the Browns hiring Sashi Brown. We all know how that worked out. To me, he shouldn’t even be considered. This is the biggest decision in Mark Murphy’s term as President and Chief Executive Officer and the franchise hangs in the balance.
The Packers have spent millions of dollars in expanding the stadium and building the Titletown District under Murphy, but he never has had to make a major football related decision until now. I applaud him for not waiting. As he said in his press conference, “fire quickly, hire slowly”. Eliot Wolf’s dad felt the same way in 1999. Ron Wolf fired the entire staff after one year of Ray Rhodes’ leadership. Mike McCarthy was one of those fired that year. So was defensive line coach Mike Trgovac, who was also fired yesterday.
This is going to be fun to watch. I really have to believe it’s Wolf’s job to lose. I have to admit I’m not 100% sure it should be. How much are he and Gutekunst responsible for the team’s current lack of talent? Was Thompson overriding them or vice versa?
The outside candidates being mentioned don’t impress me. John Schneider? Aggressive guy but Pete Carroll makes the calls there. Reggie McKenzie did a nice job of turning the Raiders around but just couldn’t find the coach to go with it. I like him, but if he needs to hire a coach here in a couple of years I would be worried.
For the love of good content, I hope they give it to Wolf. Packers’ fans will get what they want and unlike with Thompson, they will not be allowed to complain about it.